Noble Consort Lin lowered her gaze to look at the woman kneeling before her, the jealousy in her eyes almost impossible to conceal.

It was this woman who had captivated His Majesty’s heart and soul! This woman who made His Majesty disregard years of her devoted service, and even when naming an empress, would bypass her entirely!

She admitted that her family background was inferior to hers.

But so what?

That was no reason for her to yield! When it came to deep affection and understanding of His Majesty, who could compare to her?

“What fault could Sister Qin have? Please don’t speak so, as if I have done something to you.” Noble Consort Lin did not allow Qin Yining to rise, but lightly waved her round fan as she paced: “I heard that sister grew up in the mountains and wilderness? Have you ever studied?”

Qin Yining opened her mouth, then chose silence. Noble Consort Lin wasn’t truly asking her anyway—she only wanted to humiliate her.

Sure enough, Noble Consort Lin didn’t give her a chance to answer before continuing: “Our emperor is well-read in poetry and books. He could compose poetry at seven and wrote excellent calligraphy by eight. If sister is completely unlettered, I fear you won’t be able to serve His Majesty properly.”

Standing to the side with hands lowered, Gu Chang’s lips curved in a cold, indifferent smile.

But Li Yanyan frowned and said: “What Noble Consort says is quite right. However, a woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent. Serving His Majesty isn’t like taking the imperial examinations—as long as His Majesty values Sister Qin, there’s no need to consider other matters.”

“Sister Li is quite eloquent.” Noble Consort Lin sneered coldly. “It seems Duke Anguo’s mansion has quite good relations with Grand Preceptor Qin’s family.”

Li Yanyan smiled: “In response to Your Grace, this subject woman’s friendship with Sister Qin is indeed genuine.”

“How touching that you sisters have such deep affection. But what Sister Li says is true—a wild girl from the countryside who can’t recognize a basketful of characters, much less be expected to understand proper etiquette. As long as she looks passable and doesn’t mar the palace scenery, that will suffice.”

Li Yanyan was greatly angered by Noble Consort Lin’s words. She lowered her gaze and frowned tightly, having not yet found words to refute when Qin Yining spoke first.

“What Noble Consort says is correct. This subject woman is crude and indeed unworthy to serve His Sacred Majesty. However, His Majesty is learned and accomplished—how could he be such a shallow person who only looks at a woman’s appearance? Please be careful with your words, Your Grace, and do not presume to speculate about His Sacred Heart.”

This accusation of “speculating about the Sacred Heart” was a heavy charge that made Noble Consort Lin feel more stifled than all of Li Yanyan’s previous words combined.

Noble Consort Lin was furious and sneered coldly: “The daughter of the wise Pan An is indeed extraordinary. Such silver-tongued skills are not something just anyone can possess. Could it be that you used this clever mouth to bewitch His Sacred Heart?”

“His Majesty is sagacious—how could he be bewitched by a few words? Or does Noble Consort think His Majesty is such a confused person?”

“You! How absolutely insolent! Someone come, slap her mouth!”

Noble Consort Lin was so angry her face turned red, shouting for the accompanying eunuch to slap her.

Seeing the situation turning bad, Nanny Jiao quickly rushed forward and blocked in front of Qin Yining, smiling apologetically: “Noble Consort, please calm your anger. No matter how angry Your Grace is, it wouldn’t be proper to punish a selected woman in Jade Emerald Palace, would it? If His Majesty knew, he would surely be furiously enraged. How would Your Grace handle yourself then?”

“I am disciplining the selected woman, so please do not interfere, Nanny Jiao.” Noble Consort Lin’s voice softened somewhat—after all, she dared not too greatly offend the emperor’s wet nurse—but her firm attitude remained unchanged as she glared fiercely at her trusted eunuch.

The eunuch stepped forward, drew back his palm, and swung it down.

How could Qin Yining be willing to suffer such grievance? Her mind raced as her hand shot out to grab the eunuch’s wrist, causing his palm to stop beside her cheek, unable to advance an inch.

The eunuch cried out “Ai yo!” in pain. Qin Yining’s fingers pressed against his pulse point with considerable force. Having grown accustomed to punishing palace maids without anyone fighting back, he was both shocked and pained, and couldn’t help but turn back pitifully to look at Noble Consort Lin.

This glance didn’t matter—the eunuch was so frightened he fell to his knees with a thud.

“Your, Your Majesty…”

Everyone was gathered around Qin Yining with their backs to the palace gate, so they hadn’t noticed when the emperor had arrived or how long he had been watching. Qin Yining’s view was blocked by the crowd, so she was even less aware of Yuchi Yan’s arrival.

Noble Consort Lin turned around and saw Yuchi Yan standing with hands clasped behind his back, his face dark as water, and her heart skipped a beat.

She had heard that His Majesty was extremely fond of the Qin family’s young lady, but she had served by his side for so many years—surely she wouldn’t lose to a newcomer.

Noble Consort Lin steadied herself and gracefully bowed down: “This subject concubine pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“This subject woman pays respects to Your Majesty.” Li Yanyan and Gu Chang also curtsied.

The palace servants all knelt in a rustling mass, each lowering their heads and not daring to look directly at the dragon countenance, shrinking their shoulders in fear of being implicated.

The furrow between Yuchi Yan’s brows deepened several degrees, adding an intimidating aura to his normally refined and elegant features.

He strode forward and first supported Qin Yining’s uninjured left arm, helping her to stand. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, he bent down to brush the dust off her skirt hem.

Qin Yining pressed her pale lips together and stepped back.

But Yuchi Yan wouldn’t allow her to retreat. He followed closely and gripped her arm firmly, then turned back to look at Noble Consort Lin.

“How did you come to be here?”

Noble Consort Lin, having received no imperial permission, dared not rise and could only kneel on the ground as she smiled and replied: “Your Majesty, this subject concubine was taking a walk today and happened to pass by Jade Emerald Palace. Thinking that the sisters would be entering the palace, I came in to take a look.”

Yuchi Yan asked: “What did she do wrong that you would have palace servants strike her?”

Noble Consort Lin hastily said: “She doesn’t understand proper etiquette and was disrespectful to this subject concubine. I only wanted to teach her proper rules.”

“Teach her proper rules? So you verbally insulted her, and along the way also insulted the minister I value and my teacher? Who gave you such audacity!”

Noble Consort Lin was immediately terrified, her beautiful face turning deathly pale as she prostrated herself: “Your Majesty, forgive me, this subject concubine was only…”

“You will slap your own mouth thirty times. After you finish, return to your quarters for self-reflection. Without my decree, you may not step out even half a pace. Do you understand clearly?”

Noble Consort Lin looked up in shock, staring blankly at Yuchi Yan. “Your Majesty!” This would leave her with no standing in the future!

Noble Consort Lin looked pleadingly toward Li Yanyan and Gu Chang nearby.

But both women were too frightened by the emperor’s wrath to dare speak.

Yuchi Yan didn’t forget to add: “Kneel right here and do it. Strike!”

Noble Consort Lin’s face was deathly pale as her pleading gaze finally fell on Qin Yining.

She thought that since they would all be living in the same palace in the future, seeing each other constantly, she would surely leave her some face for future encounters, wouldn’t she?

But Qin Yining did not speak, only watched her calmly.

Noble Consort Lin removed the pure gold nail guards from both hands. With tears in her beautiful eyes, she bit her cherry lips and pitifully gave herself a slap.

Yuchi Yan said coldly: “Too light.”

Noble Consort Lin no longer harbored any hope for mercy. She closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and began striking with both hands alternately. The slapping sounds were extremely crisp, and her face quickly turned red all over.

The thirty strikes were quickly finished. Noble Consort Lin’s hair was disheveled, her hairpins askew, her face covered in tears. She pressed her forehead to the ground in a deep bow, then backed away with a curtsy and fled in disgrace, as if she no longer had any face to show to people.

Yuchi Yan then took Qin Yining’s hand and said: “Come with me. I have something to ask you.”